This was built lower down the main road. As great houses go it was not large, but large enough.  The gardens were very lovely and stretched down to where the Darrington Hotel is now built and were enclosed by a grey stone wall.  it is hard to believe that the cross roads were then shaded by two huge trees, one growing inside the hall garden and reaching up, up above the wall almost to the sky      ( or so it seemed to a child) and another tree at the other side of the road on the grass verge near Mr Everett's farm.  he would often stand at his gate as he showed you out of his house and say " Look at the trees, some day they will come down I expect but I hope it will not be in my time."  It was not and I am very glad for he loved their great shady branches and massive trunks, and they added charm to the crossroads.
    In the grounds of Darrington Hall was an old cedar tree which was supposed to be as old as the hills.  I hope it is still there for though the Darrington Hall takes up some land, that was once the real gardens - the gardens surrounding the Hall still do exist in a more minute form.  I believe the Hall stands on the ground of the old manor house built in the time of Henry VII and replaced the old manor house of the 13th Century, built where the old vicarage now stands.  No wonder ghosts walk around the village in the moonlight visiting their old home.

DARRINGTON HOSPITAL FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS
During the 1914 War, Darrington Hall was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers Many concerts were given there for the soldiers and many parties given too.  Village people were usually invited.  Princess Mary visited the hospital and often drove through the village in her car.  At the age of eleven I had the honour of writing my name with the pen used by the Princess.

I remember her as beautiful and usually smiling.  if she drove through the village and noticed you on the pathway she would smile so happily and I well remember saying to my mother " If the Princess smiles from her car when I am on the pathway, should I make my dancing class crtsy?" and my mother roared with laughter and I thought it was horrible when she replied " No! I am sure if you give your usual grin that will be quite enough for her."
Anyway I remember her as a beautiful princess usually dressed in mauve with a rose on her fur or hat and so friendly, so charming. A typical English Princess. Canon Atkinson once sent for me to go to the vicarage and he then took me to his study. " Sign your name with this pen...best writing," he said" Princess Mary borrowed my pen today and I have bestowed on you a great honour. Remember this day and be loyal to England.  Be unselfish as the dear princess is - be noble as she is all your life and then," he laughed, " we will all meet in heaven."